Decline of Science in England - Charles Babbage (reading well .txt) 📗

he belong to one of our universities, there

are some few chairs in his OWN Alma Mater to which he may at some

distant day pretend; but these are not numerous; and whilst the

salaries attached are seldom sufficient for the sole support of

the individual, they are very rarely enough for that of a family.

What then can he reply to the entreaties of his friends, to

betake himself to some business in which perhaps they have power

to assist him, or to choose some profession in which his talents

may produce for him their fair reward? If he have no fortune, the

choice is taken away: he MUST give up that line of life in which

his habits of thought and his ambition qualify him to succeed

eminently, and he MUST choose the bar, or some other profession,

in which, amongst so many competitors, in spite of his great

talents, he can be but moderately successful. The loss to him is

great, but to the country it is greater. We thus, by a

destructive misapplication of talent which our institutions

create, exchange a profound philosopher for but a tolerable

lawyer.

 

If, on the other hand, he possess some moderate fortune of his

own; and, intent on the glory of an immortal name, yet not

blindly ignorant of the state of science in this country, he

resolve to make for that aspiration a sacrifice the greater,

because he is fully aware of its extent;—if, so circumstanced,

he give up a business or a profession on which he might have

entered with advantage, with the hope that, when he shall have

won a station high in the ranks of European science, he may a

little augment his resources by some of those few employments to

which science leads;—if he hope to obtain some situation, (at

the Board of Longitude, for example,) [This body is now

dissolved] where he may be permitted to exercise the talents of

a philosopher for the paltry remuneration of a clerk, he will

find that other qualifications than knowledge and a love of

science are necessary for its attainment. He will also find that

the high and independent spirit, which usually dwells in the

breast of those who are deeply versed in these pursuits, is ill

adapted for such appointments; and that even if successful, he

must hear many things he disapproves, and raise no voice AGAINST

them.

 

Thus, then, it appears that scarcely any man can be expected to

pursue abstract science unless he possess a private fortune, and

unless he can resolve to give up all intention of improving it.

Yet, how few thus situated are likely to undergo the labour of

the acquisition; and if they do from some irresistible impulse,

what inducement is there for them to deviate one step from those

inquiries in which they find the greatest delight, into those

which might be more immediately useful to the public?

 

CHAPTER III.

 

GENERAL STATE OF LEARNED SOCIETIES IN ENGLAND.

 

The progress of knowledge convinced the world that the system of

the division of labour and of cooperation was as applicable to

science, as it had been found available for the improvement of

manufactures. The want of competition in science produced

effects similar to those which the same cause gives birth to in

the arts. The cultivators of botany were the first to feel that

the range of knowledge embraced by the Royal Society was too

comprehensive to admit of sufficient attention to their favourite

subject, and they established the Linnean Society. After many

years, a new science arose, and the Geological Society was

produced. At an another and more recent epoch, the friends of

astronomy, urged by the wants of their science, united to

establish the Astronomical Society. Each of these bodies found,

that the attention devoted to their science by the parent

establishment was insufficient for their wants, and each in

succession experienced from the Royal Society the most determined

opposition.

 

Instituted by the most enlightened philosophers, solely for the

promotion of the natural sciences, that learned body justly

conceived that nothing could be more likely to render these young

institutions permanently successful, than discouragement and

opposition at their commencement. Finding their first attempts

so eminently successful, they redoubled the severity of their

persecution, and the result was commensurate with their

exertions, and surpassed even their wildest anticipations. The

Astronomical Society became in six years known and respected

throughout Europe, not from the halo of reputation which the

glory of its vigourous youth had thrown around the weakness of

its declining years; but from the sterling merit of “its

unpretending deeds, from the sympathy it claimed and received

from every practical astronomer, whose labours it relieved, and

whose calculations it lightened.”

 

But the system which worked so well is now changed, and the

Zoological and Medico-Botanical Societies were established

without opposition: perhaps, indeed, the total failure of the

latter society is the best proof of the wisdom which guided the

councils of the Royal. At present, the various societies exist

with no feelings of rivalry or hostility, each pursuing its

separate objects, and all uniting in deploring with filial

regret, the second childhood of their common parent, and the evil

councils by which that sad event has been anticipated.

 

It is the custom to attach certain letters to the names of those

who belong to different societies, and these marks of ownership

are by many considered the only valuable part of their purchase

on entry. The following is a list of some of these societies.

The second column gives the ready-money prices of the tail-pieces

indicated in the third.

 

SOCIETIES. Fees on Admission Appended

including Composition Letters

for Annual Payments.

 

L. s. d.

Royal Society …………. 50 0 0 F.R.S.

Royal Society of Edinburgh. 25 4 0* F.R.S.E.

Royal Academy of Dublin … 26 5 0 M.R.I.A.

Royal Society of Literature 36 15 0 F.R.S.Lit.

Antiquarian …………… 50 8 0 F.A.S.

Linnean ………………. 36 0 0 F.L.S.

Geological ……………. 34 15 0 F.G.S.

Astronomical ………….. 25 4 0 M.A.S.

Zoological ……………. 26 5 0 F.Z.S.

Royal Institution ……… 50 0 0 M.R.I.

Royal Asiatic………….. 31 10 0 F.R.A.S.

Horticultural …………. 43 6 0 F.H.S.

Medico-Botanical ………. 21 0 0 F.M.B.S.

 

[* The Royal Society of Edinburgh now requires, for composition in

lieu of annual contributions, a sum dependent on the value of the

life of the member.]

 

Thus, those who are ambitious of scientific distinction, may,

according to their fancy, render their name a kind of comet,

carrying with it a tail of upwards of forty letters, at the

average cost of 10L. 9s. 9d. per letter.

 

Perhaps the reader will remark, that science cannot be declining

in a country which supports so many institutions for its

cultivation. It is indeed creditable to us, that the greater

part of these societies are maintained by the voluntary

contributions of their members. But, unless the inquiries which

have recently taken place in some of them should rectify the

SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT by which several have been oppressed, it is

not difficult to predict that their duration will be short. Full

PUBLICITY, PRINTED STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS, and occasional

DISCUSSIONS and inquiries at GENERAL MEETINGS, are the only

safeguards; and a due degree of VIGILANCE should be exercised on

those who DISCOURAGE these principles. Of the Royal Society, I

shall speak in a succeeding page; and I regret to add, that I

might have said more. My object is to amend it; but, like all

deeply-rooted complaints, the operation which alone can

contribute to its cure, is necessarily painful. Had the words of

remonstrance or reproof found utterance through other channels, I

had gladly been silent, content to support by my vote the

reasonings of the friend of science and of the Society. But this

has not been the case, and after frustrated efforts to introduce

improvements, I shall now endeavour, by the force of plain, but

perhaps painful truths, to direct public opinion in calling for

such a reform, as shall rescue the Royal Society from contempt in

our own country, from ridicule in others.

 

On the next five societies in the list, I shall offer no remarks.

Of the Geological, I shall say a few words. It possesses all the

freshness, the vigour, and the ardour of youth in the pursuit of

a youthful science, and has succeeded in a most difficult

experiment, that of having an oral discussion on the subject of

each paper read at its meetings. To say of these discussions,

that they are very entertaining, is the least part of the praise

which is due to them. They are generally very instructive, and

sometimes bring together isolated facts in the science which,

though insignificant when separate, mutually illustrate each

other, and ultimately lead to important conclusions. The

continuance of these discussions evidently depends on the taste,

the temper, and the good sense of the speakers. The things to be

avoided are chiefly verbal criticisms—praise of each other

beyond its reasonable limits, and contest for victory. This

latter is, perhaps, the most important of the three, both for the

interests of the Society and of truth. With regard to the

published volumes of their Transactions, it may be remarked, that

if members were in the habit of communicating their papers to the

Society in a more finished state, it would be attended with

several advantages; amongst others, with that of lightening the

heavy duties of the officers, which are perhaps more laborious in

this Society than in most others. To court publicity in their

accounts and proceedings, and to endeavour to represent all the

feelings of the Society in the Council, and to avoid permanent

Presidents, is a recommendation not peculiarly addressed to this

Society, but would contribute to the well-being of all.

 

Of the Astronomical Society, which, from the nature of its

pursuits, could scarcely admit of the discussions similar to

those of the Geological, I shall merely observe, that I know of

no secret which has caused its great success, unless it be

attention to the maxims which have just been stated.

 

On the Zoological Society, which affords much rational amusement

to the public, a few hints may at present suffice. The largeness

of its income is a frightful consideration. It is too tempting

as the subject for jobs, and it is too fluctuating and uncertain

in its amount, not to render embarrassment in the affairs of the

Society a circumstance likely to occur, without the greatest

circumspection. It is most probable, from the very recent

formation of this Institution, that its Officers and Council are

at present all that its best friends could wish; but it is still

right to mention, that in such a Society, it is essentially

necessary to have men of business on the Council, as well as

persons possessing extensive knowledge of its pursuits. It is

more dangerous in such a Society than in any other, to pay

compliments, by placing gentlemen on the Council who have not the

qualifications which are requisite; a frequent change in the

members of the Council is desirable, in order to find out who are

the most regular attendants, and most qualified to conduct its

business. Publicity in its accounts and proceedings is, from the

magnitude of its funds, more essential to the Zoological than to

any other society; and it is rather a fearful omen, that a check

was attempted to be given to such inquiries at the last

anniversary meeting. If it is to be a scientific body, the

friends of science should not for an instant tolerate such

attempts.

 

It frequently happens, that gentlemen take an active part in more

than one scientific society: in that case, it may be useful to

derive instruction as to their merits, by observing the success

of their measures in other societies.

 

The Asiatic Society has, amongst other benefits,